The Olympics begin on Saturday and despite all the withdrawals, the draw still packs a punch. And right off the bat it’s a rematch of the 2012 bronze match between World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro. Wow!

And that’s not all. Former gold medallists Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal both have tests. Murray meets Viktor Troicki while Nadal faces Federico Delbonis. OK, neither are true world beaters but I wouldn’t them easy draws – Delbonis beat Murray at Indian Wells!

Looking at the rest of the field…

Novak Djokovic Quarter
I actually give Delpo a chance come Sunday. With support from the South American crowd, his love of the Olympics I think he has a chance, but it’s suicide to pick against Novak right now, especially on the hardcourts on which he’s been unbeatable of late. Djokovic should run into Jack Sock in the third round and then JW Tsonga in the quarters. I think Tsonga takes out Roberto Bautista Agut in what is a pretty easy section for the Frenchman. But I don’t like him against Djokovic especially if the court isn’t playing quick.The pick: Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal Quarter
After two months fixing that left wrist, Nadal is finally back on court, seeking a second gold medal in singles. And I think early on he’s got a good draw with Delbonis and then Andreas Seppi, but then it’s Gilles Simon and David Goffin, two tough customers on the hardcourts. And by also playing doubles and possibly mixed, but then who knows how much he has left or if that wrist is OK. So in this section, I like Goffin to beat Pablo Cuevas in the third, then Nadal in the quarters to make the semifinals.The pick: David Goffin

Kei Nishikori Quarter
Off his final run in Toronto last week, Nishikori in the favorite, but only slight because it’s a dangerous section with Gael Monfils, Phil Kohlschreiber and Marin Cilic who faces Grigor Dimitrov. Olympics brings out the nerves like little else, so of the group I think mentally Nishikori’s the toughest (he’s got that great record in deciding sets), so I’ll lean on him to beat Kohlschreiber and then Monfils.The pick: Kei Nishikori
Andy Murray Quarter
Murray is back after his second Wimbledon title, and I don’t see anyone slowing him down on his summer hardcourt debut is what is the easiest section of the draw. Murray might have to deal with Benoit Paire, David Ferrer, Fabio Fognini or Steve Johnson? That’s as good as a gets. If Troicki serves hot in the opener maybe there’s some trouble, otherwise Andy’s on easy street in Rio as tries to become the first player to defend a gold medal in tennis.The pick: Andy Murray

Finals
Djokovic d Murray: I think the chance to beat Novak was last week, and no one took it.

With no Roger, no Stan and No Milos, it’s hard to see anything other than another Djokovic-Murray final. And with the 5-6 days off for everyone, that should keep most of the players fresh at the start. That is until the doubles kicks in, and then the mixed.

And remember, like Davis Cup the Olympic place a different, more straining kind of pressure on the players. This is your once chance at gold. Miss it and you have four years to think about it.

BRAVO has the coverage on Saturday and all week thereafter. Plus doubles.

In case you haven’t seen it, I posted my analysis earlier today on another thread? We agree on 3 semifinalists, both finalists and the winner!
Only difference is I have Monfils beating Nishikori in QF.

“With no Roger, no Stan and No Milos, it’s hard to see anything other than another Djokovic-Murray final.”
Yep. It would be a monumental choke if anything less happened.
Meanwhile, hope Rio televises some beach action.👀

Are the draws fixed? How come Andy is getting so many easy draws? Tough, tough draw for Novak, especially with his serve not up to the mark, going to be difficult. Rafa’s draw also seems a bit tricky given his injury situation.

@Anki…as far as i know,Andy’s got his fair share of a tough draw in the past when he’s still a no 3 or 4,so if he’s to taste a so-called easy draw nowadays,i would say..he’s due..let him taste a little bit the ‘heavenly easy draw’ for once..

Yes, this Olympics is a bit thin on the ground with 5 of the top tenners not playing.

However, no one expects anything other than a Novak/Murray final. Would be strange to see anyone beating these two.

It should be fun to watch. Always love the build up in Olympics, the ceremonies are extravagant and for it to be in Rio (with the Samba and the opulent countries’ costumes, adds to the overall excitement and exuberance about the games.

wog boy, that’s not even true anyhow. if you look at the first link i posted and scroll through the album, there’s at least one pic of novak posing in the canteen/dining hall with a fan. it’s all so infantile, i can’t get over it. lol.

You being in the UK….do you know if there is any Olympic tennis today on BBC? I thought Nole was playing Del Potro? The Red button is frustrating stubborn. I expect most of us would like to see that match. PS: Presume you know Kyle is through. Grand!

@JK…..Respect is the key word. I don’t share how I feel about politics on my Facebook account because of the respect I have for my family members and close friends…….so I just keep my mouth shut. I don’t like the direction my country is taking regarding politics. Slim pickins for our choice of a potential president…..not crazy about either one! They both want to make me hurl!

TX staff: Tennis schedules please…..very interested in dubs….might could watch Rafa play three days in a row??? Lol Regarding Rafa, I hope his wrist holds up, but in all reality, I doubt it…..I hate to sound like Debbie Downer, but I am concerned about him…..thoughts of DelPo……oh my…..

Giles, Djokovic has been around 10 years as a prominent player. Other players and the coaches, staff, and writers know who is genuine and who is not. Consensus is Djokovic is one of the nicest guys on Tour, very down to Earth, and fun to be with.

Okie – You were on the other strand but both of you searching re. coming matches. Doesn’t look like Rafal or Noel are playing singles today. Doesn’t look like Rafa playing doubles today either …David Ferrer + Agut won their doubles match. Noel playing doubles at 9.00pm UK time.

Not betting my house on above – but ….looks like it. above.

It is a bit of chaos to put it mildly. Anyway hope the above helps. You hear differently – shoot info. over the pond please

@JK….Thanks. I did Google it but couldn’t find out dates….much less times. I guess I will just check the Bravo channel from time to time and go from there. I am watching Venus and Flipkins now. They had been showing Sloane Stephens and Eugenie but switched. If I come up with anything different, I will send smoke signals….being from Indian Territory and all! Lol

@AndiMira…..I went to a Rafa fan site. It is Vamos Brigade. They always have his matches posted dates and times. He is going to play Delbonis Sunday on court 1 second match. He and Marc are gonna play dubs on court 2 fifth match. So at least we know he plays tomorrow.

@JK You too might check an Andy fans web site. I am sure he has some. At least maybe you can find out the day….that helps. I will check on my end and see if I can find something out for you too! Okie

I know Andy is playing Sunday. The difficulty with the BBC is they are tending to show all sports that contain a British contender(s) which is why other countries might have more tennis details. Trouble is when you go to the Olympic Schedule site they list everyone who is entered and only when they show a time of play does it mean On The Day. Brilliant! NO.

PS: They showed Heather Watson playing but didn’t show Kyle Edmonds (both won). So whatever one says there is always a…But…

PPS: Rafa has to be playing tomorrow, if not singles for sure it will be doubles.

Danica: Agree…I also thought I knew that Nole was playing doubles today.

PS: BBC Just announced the victories of Heather Watson and Kyle Edmunds but I ask myself couldn’t they have mentioned what time Andy was playing…realise he’s not your no.1 favourite but mention it to demonstrate how snarled up the whole thing seems to be. If the BBC doesn’t know when Andy plays…..??

Just wanted to say how charming and touching Joey’s pictures are.
PS: There is an absolutely stunning “Highlands: Scotland’s Wild Heart” series running on BBC right now. Apart from lots of things I didn’t know, Loch Ness is the largest body of fresh water in the UK – larger than all the lakes in England and Wales put together. (No wonder Nessie chose it).

Attack is the best form of defence – so they say (also say in tennis…whew – got out of that one semi-safely). You know what I mean.!!!!

JK….Ok…..I did find out that it was Sunday when Andy played, which you knew. Your problem is the broadcasting of the match. I think it has all been a little crazy and mixed up.

Thanks Danica…..your info is even better. You have given me a time. All I found was that he would play 2nd match on court 1. Things are looking up. I appreciate your input. Thanks again! The bad thing for me is after all of ththe searching, it is during church time so I will be recording it……
I will see the match come hail or high water!!

OKie…Rafa and Andy looks so happy to be a flag bearer…they enjoyed it so much!But a question for you Dani…i’m curious..why novak has not been chosen to be a flag bearer?Or he’s already did it in the past?

Saw your emotifs on another thread, by golly gee…you are a wizard. (If there is a “wizard” emotif you could sign off with that…you could add it to your posting name or even be nameless as with just the wizard emotif. The mind boggles.!!!!!)